Phnom Nam Lear & Phnom Kulen to Become Geographical Heritage Conservation Areas

• 13 June 2024
• Local News
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The Ministry of Environment has announced plans to transform Phnom Kulen and Phnom Nam Lear into Geo-Parks, aiming to preserve the earth’s geographical heritage. Concurrently, a three-hectare regional nursery project in Phnom Kulen has been completed. This development was confirmed by Mr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, during a meeting with Prof. Dr. Watanabe Koichiro, Senior Advisor of JICA, on 7 June 2024.

Minister Sophalleth highlighted the potential of Angkor Wat Park and Phnom Nam Lear Wildlife Sanctuary as candidates for Geo-Park status, envisioning these sites as new green recreation destinations to attract both national and international tourists, and to serve as research hubs for students. Prof. Dr. Watanabe Koichiro recommended that the ministry establish a working group to study the feasibility of these and other protected areas.

Moreover, the ministry has completed the study and design of a large-scale regional nursery on Phnom Kulen, covering over three hectares and capable of supporting the planting of three million trees annually. This nursery complements the efforts of the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Environment, which is already preparing seedlings for community and public distribution.

The regional nursery will be meticulously managed and developed as a biodiversity nursery, with infrastructure enhancements to boost green tourism in the area. Minister Sophalleth also announced plans to establish additional regional nursery stations in five provinces: Siem Reap, Tbong Khmum, Mondulkiri, Kampong Speu, and Koh Kong. These stations will have the capacity to distribute various types of seedlings, including small ones for free planting by the public. (Read more)

To protect environmental and natural resources, the Siem Reap Provincial Authority has implemented 10 measures to encourage stakeholder participation in preventing and combating natural resource crimes, particularly illegal logging and encroachment on state lands. Authorities at all levels are prohibited from recognising land tenure without sufficient legal documentation, especially in protected and conservation areas.

Currently, Siem Reap boasts eight protected areas covering approximately 280,000 hectares under state control, reinforcing the region’s commitment to conservation and sustainable development. (Read more)

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